Breakdown of Rakiplerin sayısını azımsadıkça yenileceksiniz.
rakip
opponent
yenilmek
to be defeated
sayı
number (quantity)
azımsamak
to underestimate (quantity)
Questions & Answers about Rakiplerin sayısını azımsadıkça yenileceksiniz.
How is the verb azımsadıkça formed and what does the -ımsa part do?
It comes from the adjective az (little or few). The suffix -ımsa (a variation of the attitude/perception suffix -(I)msEmEk) turns it into the verb azımsamak, meaning to consider something to be too little or to underestimate the amount. The final -dıkça ending turns the phrase into 'the more you underestimate' or 'as long as you underestimate'.
Can I use küçümsemek instead of azımsamak here to mean 'underestimate'?
No, and this is an important distinction! azımsamak specifically refers to underestimating the quantity or amount of something (since it is rooted in az). küçümsemek (rooted in küçük, small) means underestimating the quality, value, or skill of something, similar to 'looking down on' it. Since this sentence talks about underestimating a literal number (sayısını), azımsamak is the correct choice.
Does -dıkça always translate to 'as'?
It generally means 'as long as' or indicates that two actions happen in parallel, often translating to the 'the more... the more...' structure. In this sentence, azımsadıkça means 'As long as you underestimate...' or 'The more you underestimate... (the more certain it is that you will be defeated)'.
Why does the word sayısını end with -nı?
It breaks down into sayı (number) + -sı (possessive suffix) + -nı (accusative case suffix with an n-buffer). The possessive links it to the competitors (rakiplerin sayısı, the competitors' number). The accusative marks it as the specific direct object of the verb azımsamak (the specific thing being underestimated).
How do we get the meaning 'will be defeated' from yenileceksiniz?
The root verb is yenmek (to beat or defeat). By adding the passive suffix -il, it becomes yenilmek (to be beaten or to be defeated). Finally, we add the future tense suffix -ecek and the plural/formal 'you' personal ending -siniz.
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